PT810957E - PACKAGING CARD WITH TRANSPORTATION PEGA THAT ABSORBES THE IMPACTS - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton (10) and a blank for forming a carton comprising a top panel (12) having a pair of opposite side edges, a pair of side panels (14,22) foldably joined to and extending downwardly from the side edges of the top panel, and a strap handle (44) formed in part from the top panel and in part from the side panels. The handle extends transversely across the top panel and being joined at opposite end portions thereof respectively to the side panels. An intermediate portion (46) of the handle is defined between a pair of opposed first slits (52,54) formed in the top panel, each of the end portions of the handle being defined between a pair of opposed second slits (66,72) formed in adjacent one of the side panels. The second slits in each of the side panels are continuous respectively with the first slits and extending generally downwardly from adjacent one of the side edges of the top panel. Each side panel is provided with a pair of third slits (70,76) disposed at a lateral space respectively from the second slits in each side panel, the third slits extending to respective lower ends remoter from adjacent one of the side edges of the top panel than lower ends of the second slits in each side panels. The lower ends of the second slits in each side panel are curved so as to be directed respectively to the third slits in each side panel whereby when the handle is pulled upward, each of the second slits tends to tear into adjacent one of the third slits.

Description

" PACKING CARD WITH TRANSPORTATION PEGA THAT ABSORBES THE IMPACTS " The present invention relates generally to a carton having a carrying handle and more particularly to a carton having a handle having a high impact resistance applied thereto when the carton packaging is lifted by said handle. French Patent No. 2,064,523 discloses a carton having a handle handle, carton which includes a pair of side panels joined to fold over the top and bottom panels to form a tubular structure to accommodate a group of articles. The handle handle is applied in part from the top panel and partly from the side panels so as to extend along the top panel and is attached at its ends opposite the side panels. One problem with this type of carton is the ease with which the handle tears off due to the impact that is applied to the handle when the carton is lifted and gripped by the handle. One solution to this problem is to form the cartonboard with relatively thick carton. However, this solution would not be economical. Another solution is to provide the handle with a reinforcement by means of blades joined to fold along the opposing side edges of the handle. Such a handle handle is described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,222,485 to Focke, wherein the reinforcing blades are joined in a relationship superimposed with the handle. Although this may prevent disruption in the intermediate zone of the handle, the handle still has a tendency to break at either end because the blades can not strengthen the joint zone between the handle and each side panel where the tension tends to concentrate, . Another solution may be to attach separate reinforcing elements to the handle. However, this could lead to an increase in the number of carton manufacturing processes and therefore would not be desirable from the point of view of productivity. 2

What is needed, therefore, is a carton pack with a handle that has a high impact resistance, is economical in construction and can be manufactured effectively. French Patent No. 2 475 497 discloses a carton according to the preamble of claim 1. A wrapping carton is described with a handle handle formed partly from the top panel and partly from from the side panels. The end regions of the handle handle are formed with opposing domed areas 30 along the side edges of the handle 24; the bulged areas 30 are tightened between adjacent bottles when the handle is pulled up to hold the handle in a straight position from the top panel.

To satisfy the above requirements, the present invention provides, in one form, a carton which includes a top panel having a pair of opposing side edges, a pair of side panels joined to fold over and extend downwardly from the side edges of the top panel, and a handle handle formed in part from the top panel and partly from the side panels. The handle extends transversely across the top panel and is attached at opposite end regions, respectively to the side panels for movement between a storage position and a lifting position. When the handle is in the storage position, the intermediate portion of the handle is disposed in the top panel plane. When in the lifting position, the intermediate zone is folded and arranged over the top panel. Movement of the handle from the storage position to the lifting position causes its end regions to be moved into the carton, and therefore the folding means provided for each end zone are pressed against the carton on the carton. When pressed against the article, the folding means comprises a flap attached to each of the end regions along a fold line for a folding movement outwardly close to the fold line as the handle handle moves toward its lifting position are folded to allow for a gradual increase in tension in the handle when the handle is moved from the storage position to the lifting position.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the intermediate portion of the handle handle may be defined between a first pair of opposing grooves formed in the top panel, wherein the first grooves extend between the side edges of the top panel. Each end region of said handle handle may be defined between a second pair of opposing grooves formed in one of the contiguous side panels, wherein the second grooves extend substantially downwardly from one of the side edges of the top panel, and that the second grooves in each of the side panels are continuous with respect to the first grooves.

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the flap of each end zone may be formed from one of the contiguous side panels, and defined between the fold line at each end region and one of the second slots in one of the contiguous side panels.

Optionally, each side panel may be provided with a pair of third grooves disposed in a side space respectively from the second grooves in each side panel, the third grooves extending to the respective lowermost ends thereof extending from one of the contiguous side edges the second ends of the second grooves in each side panel, and the lower ends of the second grooves in each side panel are curved so as to be respectively directed to the third grooves of each side panel. Preferably, the fold line at each end zone may extend downwardly from one of the contiguous side edges of the top panel to an upper end of one of the third slots in one of the contiguous side panels.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, each side panel may be provided with a pair of tear lines extending respectively from the lower ends of the second slots in each side panel to the third slots in each side panel . , /

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the lower ends of the third grooves in each side panel are bowed.

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention the top panel may be provided with an aperture for receiving a top zone of the article and at least one of the first grooves includes a portion of a perimeter of the aperture.

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, each end portion of the handle handle may have an aperture for receiving a top zone of the article and the flap of each end zone is formed of pressed material from each zone to form one of the apertures and be foldably attached over each end zone along a perimeter of the respective aperture.

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the handle handle may have a pair of bumper tabs applied from the top panel and foldably attached over the intermediate zone, and the first grooves include exterior perimeters to the dampening flaps.

In another form the present invention provides a package which is formed using the carton described above. The carton includes a plurality of articles disposed in a group of at least one row, each of the articles having a top wall and a substantially rounded side wall defining a central axis, the axes of the articles in the group being disposed vertically and parallel to each other. others. A carton is disposed around the outside of the article group and comprises a top panel, a pair of side panels and a handle handle, the side panels being disposed adjacent to the side walls of the articles in the group along opposite sides of the carton. group. The top panel is disposed contiguously to the top portions of the articles in the group, the handle handle is formed in part from the top panel and partly from the side panels, the handle extends transversely through the top panel and is joined respectively at its end regions opposite the

side panels. At least a portion of each end zone is located midway between two of the contiguous articles in the group so as to allow each end zone to move into the carton when the handle is pulled up from the stored position where an intermediate portion of the handle is disposed in a plane of the top panel. Each end zone has foldable means adapted to be applied against the side wall of at least one of the two contiguous articles. The foldable means comprises a flap foldably attached over each end zone, the flap being disposed on the same level as the side panel adjacent to the handle when the handle is in the storage position, whereby it is folded to allow a gradual increase of tension on the handle when the handle is pulled up from the storage position.

According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, the flap of each end zone may be attached to each end zone along a fold line for folding movement outwardly close to the fold line, when the handle of the handle moves upwardly, the fold line extending transversely of one of the contiguous side edges of the top panel.

According to a further optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, the top panel may have a pair of side edges, the side panels being joined so as to fold over and extend downwardly from the side edges of the panel the intermediate zone of the handle handle is defined between a pair of first opposed slots formed in the top panel, the first grooves extend between the side edges of the top panel, each end zone of the handle handle is defined between a pair of opposing second grooves formed in one of the contiguous side panels, the second grooves extend substantially downwardly from one of the contiguous side edges of the top panel, and the second grooves in each of the side panels are respectively continuous , with the first grooves. Preferably, the flap of each end zone is formed from one of the contiguous side panels and is defined between the fold line at each end zone and one of the second grooves in one of the contiguous side panels. 6 and

In yet another optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, each end portion of the handle handle may have an aperture for receiving a top zone of one of the contiguous articles in the group, and the flap of each end zone is formed of pressurized material from each end zone to form one of the respective apertures and is foldably attached over each end zone along a perimeter of the respective aperture.

A third aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a packaging carton for packaging a plurality of articles. The blank comprises a top panel having a pair of opposing side edges, a pair of side panels joined to fold over and extending from the side edges of the top panel, and formed handle catch in part from the top panel and partly from the side panels. The handle extends transversely through the top panel and is attached respectively at its end regions opposite the side panels. Each end zone comprises a flap attached to each end zone along a fold line for folding movement around the fold line, the fold line extending substantially transversely of one of the side edges contiguous from the top panel.

Preferably the top panel may have a pair of side edges, the side panels are foldably attached over and extending from the side edges of the top panel, the intermediate area of the handle handle is defined between a pair of first opposing grooves formed in the top panel, the first grooves extend between the side edges of the top panel, each end region of the handle catch is defined between a pair of opposing second grooves formed in one of the contiguous side panels , the second grooves extend from one of the contiguous side edges of the top panel, and the second grooves in each of the side panels are respectively continuous with the first grooves.

According to an optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, the flap of each end zone may be formed from one of the contiguous side panels and defined between the fold line at each end region and one of the second grooves in one of the panels sides.

According to a further optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, each end region of the handle handle may have an aperture for receiving a top zone of a secured article on the assembled carton, and the flap of each end zone is formed from a material pressed from each end zone to form one of the respective apertures and is foldably attached over each end zone along a perimeter of the respective aperture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carton according to the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the region of the blank sheet from which the carton of Figure 1 is formed; Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the carton of Figure 1 showing the handle in the condition where the impact force has just been applied to the handle; Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the carton of Figure 1 showing the handle in a condition wherein the intermediate portion of the handle is folded upwardly and the end zones are moved inwardly; Figure 5 is a view taken along line V-V in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a carton carton according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the carton in Figure 6, showing the handle in a folded up condition; Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a region of the blank sheet from which the carton of Figure 6 is formed; and Figure 9 is a plan view of a portion of the blank blank from which the carton is formed in accordance with another embodiment.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 shows a wraparound carton 10 having an open ended tubular construction for accommodating a plurality of bottles. As shown in phantom in Figure 1, eight bottles B1-B8 are packaged in two rows of four bottles each, and are disposed within the carton 10 with their central / longitudinal axes vertically and parallel to each other. The carton 10 includes a top panel 12 disposed horizontally near the tops of the bottles B1-B8. Top panel 12 has a plurality of bottle neck receiving apertures 30-37. The bottle necks B1-B8 are respectively received in apertures 30-37 and project upwardly from the top panel, as seen in Figure 1. A side panel 14 is foldably attached to the panel 12 along a fold line 16 and extends therefrom, substantially in the downward direction, to be disposed contiguously with respect to the side walls of the bottles B1-B4. A bottom panel of the flap 18 is foldably attached over the lower edge of the side panel 14 along the fold line 20 and extends substantially horizontally so as to lie under the bottles B1-B4. A side panel 22 is foldably attached to the top panel 12 along a folding line 24 extending therefrom,

substantially downwardly to be disposed contiguously to the side walls of the bottles B5-B6. A bottom flap panel 26 is foldably attached over the lower edge of the side panel 22 along a fold line 28 and extends substantially horizontally so as to be under the bottles B5-B8. The flap panels 18 and 26 are disposed in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another and are secured together by means suitable for holding the carton in its tubular form. A preferred fastening means for the blade panels 18 and 26 is a mechanical fastening, which is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. 4,077,095 and 5,131,588 which belong to the assignee of the present invention and which are hereby incorporated by reference. However, any other suitable securing means, such as an adhesive material known in the art, may be used instead of the mechanical closure.

The apertures 30-37 are provided at their peripheries with small notches and fold lines indicated generally at 38 which are of known construction. The carton 10 is also provided with flaps 40 and 42 to hold the bottom regions of the bottles B1-B8 in position. The flaps 40 (only one shown in Figure 1) are applied in part from the bottom handle panel 18 and partly from the side panel 14, and the flaps 42 are applied in part from the handle panel bottom portion 26 and in part from the side panel 22. These flaps 40 and 42 are described in more detail, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,545,485 which is owned by the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. reference. A transverse handle handle 44 is formed in part on the top panel 12 and partly on the side panels 14 and 22. The handle 44 extends transversely to the width of the top panel 12 and is attached at its opposite ends respectively to the panels laterals 14 and 22. The location of the handle 44 is such that the handle 44 is disposed midway between two pairs of intermediate bottles, i.e., one consisting of the bottles B2 and B6 and the other pair consisting of the bottles B3 and B7. This handle 44 is normally disposed in the stored position, as shown in Figure 1, wherein the intermediate portion 46 of the handle 44 is disposed in the plane of the top panel 12 and the opposing end regions 48 and 50 of the handle 44 are disposed therein plane of the side panels 14 and 22.

As best shown in Figure 2, which illustrates a portion of the carton 10 in its unmounted shape, the intermediate zone 46 is applied from the top panel 12 and is defined between a pair of spaced apart side ends. One of the side edges of the intermediate zone 46 is defined by a cut 52 and by parts of the perimeters of the apertures 31 and 35. In other words, the cut 52 includes half of the inner perimeters corresponding to the apertures 31 and 35 and, the second side edge of the intermediate zone 46 is defined by a cut 54 and the halves of the inner perimeters corresponding to the apertures 32 and 36. In the intermediate zone 46 two lines are formed folding lines 56 and 58. These medial fold lines 56 and 58 extend between fold lines 16 and 24 and divide the intermediate portion 46 into three portions, i.e., a rectangular central portion 60, a buffer flap 62, and a further buffing flap 64. The flaps 62 and 64 are attached to the central portion 60 along the middle fold lines 56 and 58. As will be described later, when in use, these buffer flaps 62 and 64 are folded into the carton and form buffers along the middle fold lines 56 and 58.

The end regions 48 and 50 of the handle 44 are respectively applied from the side panels 14 and 22. Each end zone is defined between a pair of spaced apart side edges. The end zone 48 is foldably attached over the intermediate portion 46 along a portion of the fold line 16, and the end zone 50 is foldably attached over the intermediate portion 46 along of a portion of the fold line 24. Since the construction of the end regions 48 and 50 is virtually identical, only the end zone 48 will be described hereinafter and the description of the end zone 50 will be omitted. Parts of zone 50 similar to parts of zone 48 are identified in Figure 1 by the same reference numerals, with the "a" subscribed.

According to a further feature of the invention, each side edge of the end zone 48 is defined by at least two separate notches which are off-centered relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, one of the side edges of the end zone 48 is defined by an upper cut 66, a small 11 ' rupture line 68 and a lower cut 70. As seen in Figure 1, the upper cut 66 extends downwardly from the perimeter of the aperture 31 and terminates at a lower end which is bent toward the other lateral edge of the zone end portion 48. The lower cut 70 has its upper end disposed in a position that is off-centered laterally and internally relative to the lower end of the upper cut 66 and extends therefrom such that the lower end region of the lower cut 70 is bowed out of the side panel 14. The curvature of the cut 70 facilitates the dispersion of the tension force in the sidewall 14 when the carton 10 is lifted by the handle 44 and thereby minimizes the possibility of wall rupture The rupture line 68 is formed by a plurality of perforations and extends between the lower end of the upper cut 66 and the upper end of the lower cut 70. The other end the end zone 48 is defined by an upper cut 72, a small break line 74 and a lower cut 76. These elements form a mirror image of the aforementioned side edge of the end zone 48 and their arrangements are substantially identical, respectively to elements 66, 68 and 70.

According to another characteristic feature of the present invention, the end zone 48 includes collapsible means designed to absorb impacts applied to the handle 44 when the handle 44 is pulled up. In the illustrated embodiment, the foldable means comprises a pair of engaging blades 78 and 80 joined by folding over end zone 48, respectively along fold lines 82 and 84. More particularly, flap 78 is defined by cut 66 , by break line 68, by fold line 82 and by a portion of the perimeter of aperture 31, and flap 78 is defined by cut 72, break line 74, fold line 84 and a portion of the perimeter of the aperture 32. The fold lines 82 and 84 are aligned respectively with fold lines 56 and 58 on top panel 12 and extend from fold line 16 respectively to the upper ends of notches 70 and 76 .

To lift and transport the carton of the present invention, the user's fingers press against the bumper tabs 62 and 64, as shown in Figure 1 and are inserted into the grooves defined by the flaps 62 and 64. This causes that the flaps 62 and 64 fold inwardly into the respective positions in which they are disposed on a flat face in contact relation with the inner surface of the central portion 60, as best shown in Figure 3. With this structure, the flaps 62 and 64 effectively strengthen the handle 44 and provide buffers along fold lines 56 and 58 which protect the user's hand. The handle 44 is then gripped by the user's fingers and pulled up so that the carton 10 is lifted. When the handle 44 is pulled, the impact tension tends to center around the lower ends of the upper notches 66, 72, 66a and 72a, although the tension is induced across the handle 44. Such a concentrated tension causes rupture of the panels 14 and 22 along the break lines 68, 74, 68a and 74a. This rupture causes the full impact force to reach any other portion of the handle 44; prevents a substantial sudden increase in tension force in any other region of the handle 44. Figure 3 shows the handle 44 in the condition that the pull-up force has just been applied to the handle 44 but in that the panels 14 and 22 are still are not broken, whereas Figure 4 shows the handle 44 in a raised position in which the panels 14 and 22 have already been broken along the lines of rupture and the intermediate zone 46 is folded upwards. The rupture along the break lines 68, 74, 68a and 74a causes the upper notches 66, 72, 66a and 72a to intercommunicate respectively the lower notches 70, 76, 70a and 76a. This operation allows the end regions 48 and 50 of the handle 44 to be moved into the carton 10 when the intermediate zone 46 is drawn and thus folded upwardly, as shown in Figure 4. This displacement of the ends causes the blades 78, 80, 78a and 80a to be pressed against the bottles B2, B3, B6 and B7 and therefore folded out of the carton around the folding lines 82, 84, 82a and 84a, as best shown in Figures 4 and 5. This folding movement of the blades 78, 80, 78a and 80a allows the handle 44 to absorb the impact applied thereto upon completion of the rupture along the break lines 68 , 74, 68a and 74a. In other words, the impact force applied to the handle is used to gradually increase the folding tension in the handle 44 around the folding lines 82, 84, 82a and 84a, 13

when the blades 78, 80, 78a and 80a are folded. Thus, the peg 44 is prevented from being damaged by the impact of the pull and therefore the end regions 48 and 50 are completely displaced into the spaces, i.e. a space between the bottles B2 and B3 and the other space between the bottles B6 and B7, to provide a suitable handle space between the intermediate zones 46 and the top panel 12, as best shown in Figure 5.

In the above embodiment, the medial fold lines 56 and 58 are disposed in a substantially tangential relationship to the circular perimeters of the apertures to receive contiguous necks 31, 35, 32 and 36, to enable the blades 78, 80, 78a and 80a are separated from the damper blades 62 and 64. However, it should be recognized that in a arrangement where no aperture is used to receive bottlenecks, suitable separation means, such as notches and grooves, must be provided so that the handle separates from the folding tabs of the top panel of the carton pack or the buffer flaps. Such notches and grooves may be disposed along the joint between the top panel and each side panel, or in any other location, either on the top panel or the side panels. Packing cards which do not have apertures for receiving bottlenecks are described, for example, in U.S. Patents Nos. 4 784 266 and 5 131 588, which belong to the assignee of the present invention and which are hereby incorporated by reference. As suggested in these patents, apertures for receiving bottle necks may be replaced by any bottle end retention means known in the art.

It will also be recognized that in the prior embodiment, the break lines 68, 74, 68a and 74a are options and may be omitted. The present invention may also be applied to carton packs for cans. Such an example is illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 wherein the carton carton 90 accommodates six cans arranged in two rows of three cans each. 14

In addition to top panel 100, side panels 102 and 104 and bottom flap panels 106 and 108, carton 90 includes top and bottom skew strips 92, 94, 96 and 98 and also includes end retention means in the form of wraparound corner structures 110, 112, 114 and 116. The details of the skewed strips and the surrounding corner structures are described in U.S. Pat. 5 00 313 which belongs to the assignee of the present invention and which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As best shown in Figure 8, a transverse handle handle 120 is disposed so as to overlap both sides of the top panel 110 and both the upper skew panels 92 and 94 and is joined by their opposite ends respectively to the side panels 102 and 104. The location of the handle 120 is such that the handle 120 is disposed over two intermediate cans C3 and C4. The intermediate zone 122 is applied from the top panel 100 and is defined between a pair of spaced side edges. One of the side edges is defined by a groove 124 which includes the outer perimeter of a damper flap 126 applied from the top panel 100. Similarly, the other side edge of the intermediate zone 122 is defined by a notch 128 which includes the outer perimeter of a buffer flap 130 applied from the top panel 100. The flaps 126 and 130 are foldably joined over the intermediate zone 112 along fold lines 132 and 134. The end zone 136 of the handle 120 is applied in part from the side panel 102 and partly from the skewed panel 92. Likewise, the end zone 138 is applied in part from the side panel 104 and in part from the skewed panel 94 End zone 136 is defined between a pair of downwardly extending pair of grooves 140 and 142 as seen in Figure 6 from fold line 144 intersects fold line 146 and terminates at respective lower ends thereof at p The lower ends of the grooves 140 and 142 are curved outwardly and then upwardly toward the top panel 100. The grooves 140 and 142 are continuously disposed relative to the grooves 124 and 128 in the top panel 100. The end zone 136 is formed with an aperture 148 for receiving the top region of the intermediate can C3, and the foldable vanes 150 and 152 are attached to the perimeter of the aperture 148 along the fold lines 154 and 156. 152 are formed of material applied from the end zone 136 to form the aperture 148. Since the construction of the end regions 136 and 138 is virtually identical, the description of the end zone 138 and the portions of the zone 138 similar to the portions of the zone 136 are identified in Figure 8 by the same reference numerals, with the "a" subscribed.

When in use, the flaps 126 and 130 are folded down into respective positions under the intermediate zone 122 and then the handle is pulled up. This allows the end regions 136 and 138 to move into the carton 90 when the intermediate zone 122 is arched upwardly as shown in Figure 7. This operation causes the top regions of the cans C3 and C4 to be received in the apertures 148 and 148a thereby causing the blades 150, 152 150a and 152a to be pressed against the cans C3 and C4. The pressed blades are folded out around fold lines 154,156, 154a and 156a, thereby absorbing the impact of the pull on the handle 120.

It will be recognized that the invention may also be used for carton packs of bottles containing an odd number of bottles in each row (e.g., three). Figure 9 shows a carton of bottles having a handle 160 similar to handle 120 in Figure 8, in which apertures 162 and 162a in handle end regions 236 and 238 are formed such that they are respectively opened for the intermediate apertures for receiving bottle necks in the top panel 164. The remaining portion of the handle 160 is virtually identical to that of the handle 120 in Figure 8 and, for that reason, its description is omitted. Those handle regions 160 in Figure 9 identical to the handle regions 120 are indicated by similar references which are one hundred times larger than the corresponding references in Figure 8,

It should also be recognized that the invention may be used for any number of articles per row, and may also be used for articles with a row or more than two rows.

Lisbon, JUL. T Dra. Maria Silvina Fcrreira

Agent Oficio 'r ·: ο ΌαΙ ANA SILVA CARVALHO R. Casuiro. a '- c.

Attachment Tele (s.

Claims (20)

1 A carton comprising a top panel (12, 100, 164) having a pair of opposing side edges, a pair of side panels (14, 22, 102, 104) joined to fold over and extend downwardly from said side edges of said top panel, and a handle handle (44, 120, 160) formed partly from said top panel (12, 100, 164) and partly from of said side panels, said handle extending transversely through said top panel and being attached at its opposite end regions (48, 50; 136, 138, 236, 238) respectively to said side panels for movement between a stored position wherein the intermediate zone (46, 122, 222) of said handle is disposed in a plane of said top panel and an elevated position wherein said intermediate zone is arcuate and disposed on said top panel, whereby said zones end of re shaped handle are moved into said carton when said handle is moved from said arcuate position to said raised position, characterized in that each of said end regions having fold means adapted to be pressed against an article (B2 B3, C3, C4) within said carton and in that said fold means comprises a blade (78, 80; 150, 152; 250, 252) attached to each of said end regions along a fold line (82, 84; 154, 156; 254, 256) for folding movement around said fold line when moving said handle for said raised position which is thus folded to allow for a gradual increase of tension in said handle when said handle is moved from said stored position to said lifting position. A carton according to claim 1, characterized in that said intermediate portion of said handle handle portion is defined between a pair of first opposing grooves (52, 54; 142, 128) formed in said top panel , said first grooves extending between said side edges of said top panel, each of said end regions of said handle handle being defined between a pair of opposing second grooves (66, 72, 140, 142 , 240, 242) formed in one of said contiguous side panels, said second grooves extending substantially downwardly from one of said side edges contiguous to said top panel, and said second grooves in each of said side panels side panels are continuous, respectively with respect to said first grooves. 3 of one of said third grooves in one of said contiguous side panels. Packaging carton according to claim 2, characterized in that said flap (78, 80, 78a, and 80a) of each of said end regions is formed from one of said contiguous side panels and defined between said fold line at each of said end regions and one of said second grooves in one of said contiguous side panels. Packaging carton according to claim 3, characterized in that said side panel is provided with a pair of third grooves (70, 76, 70a and 76a) disposed in a side space, respectively of said second grooves in each one of said side panels, wherein said third grooves extend to respective lower ends further away from one of said contiguous lateral edges than the lower ends of said second grooves in each of said side panels and said lower ends of said side panels second grooves in each of said side panels are bent so as to be directed respectively to said third grooves in each of said side panels. Packaging carton according to claim 4, characterized in that said fold line (80, 82, 80a, and 82a) in each of said end regions extends downwardly from one of said edges side panels contiguous with said top panel to an end ..... st Packaging carton according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that each of said side panels is provided with a pair of tear lines (68, 74, 68a and 74a) which extend respectively from of said lower ends of said second grooves in each of said side panels for said third grooves in each of said side panels. Packaging carton according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said lower ends of said third grooves in each of said side panels are bowed. Packaging carton according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said top panel 12 is provided with an opening (31, 32, 35, 36) for receiving a top zone of said article and, at least one of said first grooves including a portion of the perimeter of said aperture. A carton according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein each of said end regions (136, 138, 236, 238) of said handle handle has an aperture (148, 148a, 162, 162a) to receive a top zone of said article (C3, C4), and said flap (150, 152, 250, 252) of each of said end regions is formed of a material applied from each of said end regions to form one of said respective apertures and is foldably attached over each of said end regions along a perimeter of said respective aperture. 4 / ί A carton according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said handle handle (44, 120, 160) has a pair of damper blades (126, 130, 226, 230) applied from said top panel and joined so as to fold over said intermediate zone, and in that said first grooves include outer perimeters of said damping blades. A package comprising a plurality of articles (B2, B5, B6, B7, Cl, C2, C3, C4) arranged in a group of at least one row, each of said articles having a top wall and a a substantially rounded side wall defining a central axis, said axes of said articles in said group being arranged vertically and parallel to one another, and a carton disposed around the exterior of said group of said articles and comprising a panel (12, 100, 164), a pair of side panels (14, 22,102, 104) and a handle handle (44, 120, 160), said side panels being disposed adjacent said side walls of said articles in said group along of opposite sides of said group, said top panel being disposed contiguous to said top portions of said articles in said group, said handle handle is formed in part from said top panel and in pair (48, 50, 136, 138, 236, 238), respectively, of said panels (48, 50, 136, 138, 236, 238) are connected to said panels At least one portion of each of said end regions is located midway between two of said contiguous articles in said group so as to enable each of said end regions to be moved into said carton when said handle is pulled up from a stored position in which an intermediate portion (46, 122, 222) of said handle is disposed in a plane of said top panel, characterized in that each of said end regions has foldable means adapted to be pressed against said side wall of at least one of said two contiguous articles, said m (78, 80, 150, 152, 250, 252) foldably attached over each of said end regions, said flap being disposed in the same plane as said contiguous side panel when said handle is in said stored position and is therefore bent to permit a gradual increase in tension in said handle when said handle is pulled up from its stored position. A package according to claim 11, characterized in that said flap of each of said end regions is attached to each of said end regions along a fold line (82, 84, 154, 156 , 254, 256) for a folding movement outwardly of said folding line when said handle is moved upwardly, said folding line extending transversely with respect to one of the side edges contiguous to said top panel . Packaging according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said top panel has a pair of side edges, said side panels being joined so as to fold over and extend downwardly to (52, 54, 124, 128) formed in said top panel, said first side panel being defined between a pair of first opposing grooves (52, 54, 124, 128) formed in said top panel, said first side panel grooves extend between said side edges of said top panel, each of said end regions of said handle handle is defined between a pair of opposing second grooves (66, 72, 140, 142, 240, 242) formed in one of said contiguous side panels, said second grooves extending substantially downwardly from one of said side edges of said top panel, and said second grooves and m each of said side panels are continuous, respectively with respect to said first grooves. 6 tf A package according to claim 13, characterized in that said flap (78, 80, 78a, 80a) of each of said end regions is formed from one of said contiguous panels and defined between said line in each of said end regions and one of said second grooves in one of said contiguous side panels. A package according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that said end region (136, 138, 236, 238) of said handle handle has an aperture (148, 148a, 162, 162a) for receiving a top zone of one of said articles in said group and said flap (150, 152, 250, 252) of each of said end regions is formed of a material applied from each of said end regions to forming one of said respective apertures and being foldably attached over each of said end regions along a perimeter of said respective aperture. Sheet not assembled to form a carton according to any of claims 1 to 10. A sheet not assembled to form a packaging carton for packaging a plurality of articles, said sheet comprising a top panel (12, 100, 164) having a pair of opposing side edges, a pair of side panels (14, 22, 102, 104) joined together to fold over and extend from said side edges of said top panel, and a handle handle (44, 120, 160) formed in part from said panel (12, 100, 164) and in part from said side panels, said handle handle extending transversely across said top panel and being joined by its opposing end regions (48, 50, 136, 138, 236, 238) respectively to said side panels, each end zone comprising a flap (78, 80,150,152, 250,252) attached to each of said end regions along a fold line 7 (82, 84; 154, 156; 254, 256) for movement outwardly by reference said folding line extending substantially transversely with respect to one of said side edges contiguous to said top panel. Unassembled sheet according to claim 17, characterized in that said top panel has a pair of side edges, said side panels being joined so as to fold over and extend from said panels said leading portion of said handle handle is defined between a pair of first opposing grooves (52; 54, 124, 128) formed in said top panel, said first grooves extending between said side edges of said top panel, each of said end regions of said handle handle is defined between a pair of opposing second grooves (66, 72, 140, 142, 240, 242) formed in one contiguous side panels, said second grooves extending from one of said side edges contiguous to said top panel, and said second grooves in each of said panels the lateral apertures are continuous, respectively with respect to said first grooves. Unassembled sheet according to claim 18, characterized in that said flap (78, 80, 78a, and 80a) of each of said end regions is formed from one of said contiguous side panels and defined between said fold line at each of said end regions and one of said second grooves in one of said contiguous side panels. Unassembled sheet according to claim 18, characterized in that each of said end regions (136, 138, 236, 238) of said handle handle has an aperture (148, 148a, 162, 162a) for receiving a top zone of an article secured by the assembled carton and said flap (150, 152, 250, 252) of each of said end regions being formed of a material applied from each of said end regions to form one of said respective apertures and is foldably attached over each of said end regions along a perimeter of said respective aperture. Lisbon, 2 k JUL 2001 Dra. Maria Silvína Ferreíra ANA SILVA CARVALHO Deputy Agent Oficb 'k'. kidestrbl R.Castire.r0 - ;? U.S. Televis. 2 3051 LU-2136150 50